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| EDITORIAL December 6, 1998 VNN2624 See Related VNN Stories "White Listing" BY BRAHMA-MUHURTA DAS EDITORIAL, Dec 6 (VNN) — Dear Mayesvara Prabhu, please accept my humble dandavats! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Jaya Vaishnavas! I have read your articles, and found the "light approach" most refreshing, although almost humorously unrealistic, (knowing the forces at work). I have another proposal that is probably just as unrealistic but any attempts suggesting the light approach (caring approach) can only help open minds to amicable possibilities. It is amazing how people (devotees) are blissfully unaware how their heavy handed bullying tactics ("N.A. Leaders Propose Blacklisting Ritviks") have historically a counter productive result. And often work in the favor of those they are intended to hurt. (isn't Sri Krishna clever the way He does that!) It seems the present leaders (in ISKCON) are oblivious to their own survival and self interest in dealing properly with congregational devotees who's numbers far outset the "temple devotees" (who are supposedly their backers) and who's voice is growing. When the "congregational" devotees living around the temples, many of who's situations are often much more secure financially and who's network of friends, with similarly situated Vaishnava's is far more substantial and stable, begin to mobilized under favorable circumstances, there will come a point in near future (if its not here already) where the voice of GBC and "temple devotees" is not taken at all seriously due to the ever increasing alienation factor (non caring attitude). This is reflected in the "holier then thow" black listing, an obvious sign that they have stepped off the edge of reality. The more the present management screws up, the more they are opening the doors for devotees on the "out side" to bond and mobilize against their narrow mindedness. Making the scenario of a hostile take over all the more likely. The only hope of ISKCON surviving as an institution is through an all out effort to increase the level of purity beginning with caring Vaishnava behavior and concerted effort to increase the level of Krishna consciousness by surcharging the atmosphere with humility. Humility is a natural product of proper increased hearing and chanting Bhajana Kirtana and Krishna Kata (instead of endless political moves, which are glaringly evidence of deprivation in humility and true Krishna consciousness) Without this increased effort to purify the atmosphere in and around the Temples in the hearts of the devotees, the present self destructive mode will grow. As it grows, the toxic clouds of misunderstanding and aparads will continue to expand until just like the Yadavas, a little senseless brawl arises where everyone who has locked themselves into irreversible "over drive" (passion/ignorance) gets sucked in and self distructs. All the signs of this disastrous recipe are there and the symptoms of the brawl are taking place now and there seem to be numerous blind eyes and deaf ears in the heart of the conflict. Here is a suggestion that could heal wounds. Why not offer a nice room next to the Temple on Sundays for the "ritvic" devotees to congregate and associate with each other, with possibly a table outside the Temple to invite congregational members to attend their programs with an agreement to proselytize in a civil and polite manner (that dose not include harassment or any derogatory verbal mention or attack on any member of the other camp). Then maybe allow the ritvic camp to have their own Kirtana at a separate time (like for noon arotic) And of course all who wish to go to both are equally welcome. Why not make some proposal, gesture of kindness that "we do not agree with you but we appreciate you are Vaishnavas and Love Srila Prabhupada however are moods are different so we wish to respect you and have you respect us although not expect you to agree with us or us with you, lets try to compliment each other as far as possible and not interfere with each other as far as possible. Instead we would like to make a gesture of appreciation by offering you Prasad and a separate facility where you can worship together happily". This of course would have to be implemented by a few mature unbiased Vaishnavas. Who's opinion would be respected regarding the appropriate course of action for transgressors of Vaishnava etiquette. This may not have to be a permanent arrangement but it would be a great gesture to show the community of Vaishnavas that despite all the past transgressions, the devotees are most tolerant as long as proper Vaishnava behavior is conducted. And it could go a long way to remove the forces mobilized to commit further aparad towards each other. Show your love for Srila Prabhupada and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu by little gestures of thoughtfulness and despite all odds try to work together by at least agreeing to respect each other as Vaishnavas. Lay down some mutually accepted ground rules that you can both live with and abide by. Sincerely apologize (even if your not personally fully responsible) to each other and sincerely ask to be forgiven for any all offenses. If our minds are cool and tolerant most situations can be amicably solved. Offer as many flower garlands and as much Prasad as possible with loving hearts to pacify. These exchanges are what will save us not political moves to band and "black list". When black listing others you are black listing yourself. Where was Srila Prabhupada's & Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's long black list?! The black list should be for those who are fallen and for whom we want to make and extra effort to extend ourselves to and offer our love and Krishna's mercy. If our association is all that good & pure why should we want to black list and deprive others of such a wonderful opportunity to make spiritual advancement in our sangam?! If its not all that good, this is a wonderful opportunity to make it good by making heartfelt Vaishnava gestures to those who we might feel the least sympathy for. This is also a good test of our humility and genuine Krishna consciousness. (Which I think we can all agree is far in short supply) I acknowledge I have very little knowledge of the complexity of the situation and all the various Vaishnava involved but the best way out of the complexity is the simple straight forward process of Krishna consciousness which begins with a heavy dose of genuine compassion and humility this is the real all attractive feature and if the devotees are truly concerned about loosing members, all efforts should be made to improve the Vaishnava mood of unpretentiousness, unbiased humility and tolerance etc.. thus transforming the devotional atmosphere. We all know if the mood is pure and full of Bhakti there is no need to fear. This is the only way to victory. Who cares, who we say the diksha Guru is, or who we say God is, or who is right or wrong "according to the Shastra", if there is squabbling and black listing going on, no intelligent soul will want to come anywhere near an ISKCON temple, and hear anything! And anyone remaining with intelligence will want to run away. Do we want the world to know us as the "Hare Krishna's, the cult with all the "black lists" ?! What's next "black list policeman" standing at the doors of the Temples beating up guests because they look something like or have the same names as those that have been black listed?!? Or maybe someone who dose not like someone else just claims "O that person is a ritvic" I'll add their name to the list". Or are we going to be a bit more subtle and skip them while serving samosas at Sunday "love" feast?!? ISKCON wake up, you are not the leaders of the world and you do not have power to implement all these crazy ideas, you have to live by the law of the land. This is not the vedic age we are in. Even if it were, none of us would qualify as spiritual leaders of any sort. In the USA this type of mental concoction, discrimination is going to be the self destruction spark that burns down the society, you will have so many law suites all ISKCON assets will be confiscated and the few remaining souls will abandon the sinking ship. Lets set an example of compassion, an example that Srila Prabhupada would be proud to say "these are my disciples just see how they are caring and for each other, trying to understand, and tolerate their differences and help each other increase their Krishna consciousness." Pranams to all the Vaishnavas! Please excuse forgive and correct anything said in ignorance, just offering an "outsiders" perspective for what ever its worth. Hey Govinda Hey Gopal save us each save us all your das anudas, Brahma-muhurta RGarlandG@aol.com PS. Why not start a "white list" with "white list Vaishnava policeman" arresting (with words of praise) all the Vaishnavas and guests for their numerous good qualities! (handing out extra samosas) When faults in other misguide and delude you -- have patience, introspect, find faults in yourself. Know that others cannot harm you unless you harm yourself. " Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, discourse in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 1935 See Related VNN Stories This story URL: http://vnn.org/editorials/ET9812/ET06-2624.html NEWS DESK | EDITORIALS | TOP |
